Topeka safety group could create teams to reduce violence

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A local organization is looking into new approaches to reduce violence in Shawnee County. It comes following the deadliest year on record for the Capital City.

A new community group called Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition, CIVIC, is trying to figure out how to spend $550,000 dollars in grants from the northeast Kansas YWCA. The organization began looking into ways to treat violence like you would a disease.

One idea is adding a street team.

"This team of credible messengers that we can have in place that are trained to be able to interrupt conflict, be able to respond to violence, mediate those situations, but also be in the community to really understand what needs are needed and be that liaison for us organizations to be able to look at ways we can assist and making that happen,"Danielle Twenlow with CIVIC said.

The group has been meeting since 2023, and had a number of community surveys for input on addressing crime in the county.

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